Take a guess at how much the average homeowner is spending to fix up their place. It's not $1,000, $2,000, or even $3,000 a year. Brace yourself, because homeowners can expect to spend $6,000, and perhaps even more.
Multiply that by a handful of investment properties, and it quickly becomes a huge drag on your finances. Maintenance problems only get worse over time unless you address them when they're fresh. What things should you be doing for home property maintenance in Dickson, TN, to keep that cost low?
Today we cover five property maintenance hacks for owners that make property value preservation a breeze.
1. Keep Track of Small Things
As you're coordinating your maintenance, don't forget the little things like changing your filters. The filters keep the air clean and dust-free, and let the HVAC system run efficiently. Sadly, the majority of homeowners do it once a year, if that.
You should be replacing the filters at least once every six months. While you're at it, keep track of the other small things that need regular maintenance. Gutters, garbage disposals, and sprinkler systems all need their due.
2. Tackle Big Issues Today
Big issues often begin as small ones that snowball into much worse ones later on. Owning an investment property is expensive, making it easy to rationalize tightening your belt and ignoring small problems. So, save yourself a headache tomorrow by taking action today.
3. Have One Handyman Handle All Visits
It might seem cheaper and easier to call whichever handyman is available. This could lead to inconsistent results, especially if one of those handymen is looking for a quick buck. Plus, it could lead to misunderstandings if the new guy doesn't do it like the old one did.
Consider having one handyman you can trust for all properties. Then there's only one person to hold accountable, one who knows what you expect.
4. Use an Online Portal
Normally, landlords handle maintenance requests informally. The tenant sends you a text about the broken AC and you put it on the mental docket till it's done. That's fine, but this quickly balloons out of control when you have multiple properties.
Use an online portal instead. There, you can manage, schedule, and keep track of dozens of requests at once.
5. Hire a Property Maintenance Company
The most convenient strategy is to let another professional take care of it for you. Property management companies handle everything from receiving maintenance requests to sending out contractors. Then, you can use your time for something more important - like growing your investments.
Find More on Property Maintenance with PMI Dickson
Property maintenance begins with making sure those small things, like air filters, are changed regularly. Don't let the soon-to-be big issues get ignored, and take care of them with your go-to handyman. An online portal and a property management company will both help streamline the process.
PMI Greater Dickson in Dickson, TN is family-owned and operated, meaning we care deeply about our community. We use our decades of experience to maximize investor income and make tenants happy. Use our free rental analysis tool to see how much you could be making.